Echocardiographic parameters as adjuncts to the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index in predicting 30-day mortality in acute pulmonary embolism patients.

Background: The Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI) is a validated tool to predict 30-day all-cause mortality in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) but includes only clinical variables.

Aims: We aimed to determine the effectiveness of PESI extended with an echocardiographic parameter.

Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included consecutive patients with acute PE diagnosed with computed tomography pulmonary angiography.

Indexing of Speckle Tracking Longitudinal Strain of Right Ventricle to Body Surface Area Does Not Improve Its Efficiency in Diagnosis and Mortality Risk Stratification in Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism.

Background: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is associated with a serious mortality rate. Thus, the rapid diagnosis and identification of patients at high risk of death is pivotal. The search for echocardiographic parameters for this purpose continues.

Paroxysmal Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia with Cardiac Arrest and Myocardial Infarction in 29-Year-Old Man Addicted to Medical Marijuana-It Never Rains but It Pours.

This article presents the case of a 29-year-old male patient, addicted to prescribed medical marijuana administered for mixed anxiety and depressive disorder and without classic cardiovascular risk factors and history of myocarditis, suffering from episodes of paroxysmal hemodynamically unstable ventricular tachycardia. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging of the heart revealed disseminated non-ischemic myocardial injury lesions of subepicardial and intramuscular location. Additionally, the individual experienced myocardial infarction without ST segment elevation following marijuana intake.

Subcostal echocardiographic assessment of tricuspid annular kick (SEATAK): A novel independent predictor of 30-day mortality in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Background: The most commonly used parameter of right ventricular (RV) systolic function - tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) - is unavailable for some patients. Subcostal echocardiographic assessment of tricuspid annular kick (SEATAK) has been proposed as its alternative.

Aim: The study aimed to assess the feasibility of SEATAK use in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and its value in prognosis after PE.

Increased tortuosity of basilar artery might be associated with higher risk of aneurysm development.

Objectives: We analysed tortuosity of basilar artery (BA) to determine its relationship with the presence of aneurysm.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed 71 patients with BA aneurysms along with 71 age- and risk factors-matched control patients without BA aneurysm. From patients' medical records, we obtained their history including previous and current diseases and medications.